The first birding field trip of the 2013 season at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge will take place at 8 a.m., Thursday, March 21. All birding field trips will originate from the Refuge Headquarters office and run for approximately three hours. There will be two or three leaders who are all very familiar with the birds found on the refuge at various times of the year.

The locations visited will vary depending on what interesting species are present on the date of the field trip. Since 85 percent of the bird species found on the refuge are migrants, every month of the year brings the opportunity for different species of birds to be observed.

Participants should bring binoculars if they have them, a field guide and spotting scope (the leaders will all have spotting scopes as well). The refuge has a few pairs of loaner binoculars if needed. Participants should be prepared to walk up to a mile and should dress appropriately for the weather.

In some of the more open locations, wind chill can be a factor in the cooler months. In case of light rain, a trip will still go, but will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain. Insect repellent and sunscreen are recommended in the warmer months.

The field trips are free and open to the public. Call the refuge at 302-684-8419 for more information or go to primehook.fws.gov for a complete schedule of birding trips.